Hamilton, who has a master's degree in mass communications from Northridge, will speak at 7 p.m. in the Presentation Room of the Oviatt Library, located in the center of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.

A Los Angeles native, Hamilton also is a Fulbright scholar and award-winning journalist who was on the staff of the Los Angeles Times for 10 years.

Her first novel in the Eve Diamond series, "The Jasmine Trade," was shortlisted for a number of literary awards including the 2001 Edgar Award for Best First Novel, the WILLA Award for contemporary fiction, the Macavity Award and the Anthony Award. It also was a finalist for the prestigious Creasey Dagger Award given by the UK Crime Writers Association.

Hamilton's latest work, "Last Lullaby," was named a "Best Book of 2004" by the Los Angeles Times, a USA Today Summer Pick and a finalist for the Southern California Booksellers Association 2004 Award for "best mystery."

The Boston Globe called "Last Lullaby" a "suspenseful, rapid-paced winner" and the Los Angeles Times said it displayed "so much freshness and sass that comparisons with Raymond Chandler aren't too far out of line."

Copies of "Last Lullaby" will be available at the event for purchase and signing. Parking is available for $4.